Hammock with quadrecline geometry

ABSTRACT

A hammock with quadrecline geometry is disclosed. The hammock includes a bed having a bed surface, a head end and a foot end located opposite the head end. The head end has an attachment point to suspend the head end of the bed. The bed further has a leg rest portion at the foot end defined by four, connected suspension lines. A foot spreader is configured and arranged to spread the four suspension lines apart, providing support to the leg rest portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/824,489, filed May 17, 2013, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present patent document relates generally to hammocks and moreparticularly to a hammock with unique quadrecline geometry.

2. Background of the Related Art

Prior art hammocks are difficult or uncomfortable to lie in because theyare do not support the body properly and naturally. The bed surface ofthe hammock, because it is suspended between two poles or tress, takesthe shape of an inverted arch, like a banana, that provides no lumbarsupport, leads to crowding, and also hyper extends the knees. Therefore,there is a need in the art for an improved hammock that is comfortableand properly supports a person resting therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hammock with quadrecline geometry solves the problems of the priorart by providing a unique configuration of the hammock support and bedthat prevents hyperextension of the knees, crowding and is alsocomfortable. Specifically, the hammock includes a bed having a bedsurface, a head end and a foot end located opposite the head end. Thehead end has an attachment point to suspend the head end of the bed. Thebed further has a leg rest portion at the foot end defined by four,connected suspension lines. A foot spreader is configured and arrangedto spread the four suspension lines apart, providing support to the legrest portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hammock;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a hammock made in accordance herein;

FIG. 3a is a view of a top spreader of the hammock;

FIG. 3b is a view of a leg spreader;

FIG. 3c is a view of the lumbar spreader; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hammock with a person lying therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a hammock with quadrecline geometry is showngenerally at 10. The hammock 10 includes a bed 12 having a bed surface.The bed 12 is preferably a flexible material such as a film, textile orfabric, synthetic or natural, and more preferably rip-stop nylon, whichis durable, strong and lightweight. The bed 12 may be made from one ormore pieces and/or plies sewn together, preferably with ¼″ double needlelock stitch joining and may optionally include a reinforced center (orspine) seam 12 a the length of the bed 12.

The edges of the bed 12 are reinforced with an edge band 14 thatfunctions as a suspension line, integral to the bed. Webbing loops 16are further sewn into the edge band 14 providing anchor points for thesuspension line 18 rigging, described further below.

The bed 12 includes a head 20 end and foot end 22. The head end 20tapers and includes a head anchor point 24 for securing the head end 20of the hammock 10 to a support, such as a pole, tree, or frame, tosuspend the hammock 10 above the ground.

From the head end 20, the bed of the hammock widens substantially toaccommodate an occupant's body 36 and, more specifically, to accommodatethe occupant's body 36 when the average occupants' elbows 36 a wouldrest on the bed 12 when their index fingers touch their navel (best seenin FIG. 4). From there, the bed 12 tapers slightly, but leavessufficient room for an average occupant's legs 36 c, generally forming arectangular-shaped piece, which will form a flat leg rest portion 26.

Four suspension lines 18 are connected to the bed 12 to the webbingloops 16 at the four anchor points on the edge band 14. With two at thefoot portion 22 (the bottom most area of the leg rest portion 26) andtwo suspension lines 18 connected to the webbing loops 16 on the edgeband 14 at a point where the average occupant's knees 36 b would bewhile lying in the bed 12 (best seen in FIG. 4). The four suspensionlines 18 are gathered together and form a foot anchor point 28 forsecuring the foot end 22 of the hammock 10 to a support, such as a pole,tree, or frame, to suspend the hammock above the ground.

Referring to FIG. 3a , a head spreader 30 is retained in the head end 20of the bed 12 of the hammock 12, between the edge bands 14, and forcesthe bed surface open by preventing the bed surface from collapsinginwardly and crowding the occupant 36. The head spreader 30 is shortlength of material, such as a straight splint of wood, with each endconfigured to be retained in the webbing loops (or pockets) 16 formed inthe edge band 14.

Referring to FIG. 3b , a lumbar spreader 32 is a bow-shaped piece ofrigid, durable material, such as exterior grade plywood, that spansbetween and is located under the bed 12, perpendicular to the occupant'sspine and the longitudinal axis of the hammock 10. Further, the lumbarspreader 32 is positioned at a point on the hammock 10 where the averageoccupants' elbows 36 a would rest on the bed 12 when their index fingerstouch their navel. (See FIG. 4 at.) Each end 32 a, 32 b of the lumbarspreader 32 is configured to be retained in the webbing loops (orpockets) 16 formed in the edge band 14.

Referring to FIG. 3c , a foot spreader 34 (also called an “X” spreaderor cross spreader) spreads the suspension lines 18 in the z and ydimension (or axis) while the longitudinal axis of the hammock 10 isstrung on two points along the Z-axis. The foot spreader 34 functionssimilar to a suspension bridge, where the “X” is the suspension towerand the leg rest section 26 of the hammock 10 is the “road bed.” Thefoot spreader 34 is formed from three rods 34 a, 24 b, 34 c, such assolid wood sticks, hinged with brackets 34 d, such as metal plates, sothat the “X” can change angle and close completely for storage. Each endof each rod includes a notch 34 e for receiving a suspension line 18, toprevent slippage of the suspension line 18 from the foot spreader 34.

Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention provides a uniquesolution to the problem of providing a hammock that preventshyperextension of the knees, crowding and is also comfortable.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changesand modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. All suchmodifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention except as limited by the scope of the appended claims.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A hammock, comprising: a bed having a flexible bedsurface, a head end and a foot end located opposite the head end, thehead end having an attachment point for a suspension line to suspend thehead end of the bed; the bed further having a leg rest portion at thefoot end defined by four connected suspension lines; and a foot spreaderconfigured and arranged to spread the four suspension lines apart,providing support to the leg rest portion, wherein the foot spreader is“X” shaped.
 17. The hammock of claim 16, wherein: the “X” shaped footspreader provides dynamic support; and the angles created at the pointof intersection of the “X” are free to change angle wile under load. 18.The hammock of claim 16, wherein the “X” shaped foot spreader can foldclosed.
 19. The hammock of claim 17, wherein the “X” shaped footspreader can fold closed.
 20. The hammock of claim 16, wherein the bedalso has a body portion, the body portion able to work in conjunctionwith the foot spread to spread the leg rest portion.
 21. The hammock ofclaim 16, wherein the foot spreader is formed from three rods connectedtogether.
 22. The hammock of claim 17, wherein the three rods areconnected together via two plates.
 23. The hammock of claim 16, whereinthe foot spreader is hinged allowing the “X” shape to fold closed. 24.The hammock of claim 17, wherein the foot spreader is hinged allowingthe “X” shape to fold closed.
 25. The hammock of claim 16, wherein thetip of each prong of “X” of the foot spreader further includes a notchconfigured and arranged to receive a suspension line.
 26. The hammock ofclaim 16, wherein the bed is formed from a flexible material, theflexible material being a fabric.
 27. The hammock of claim 26, whereinthe fabric is a synthetic fabric.
 28. The hammock of claim 27, whereinthe synthetic fabric is nylon.
 29. A hammock comprising: a flexibleelongated bed including a head end and a foot end opposite the head end,wherein the foot end has a leg rest portion; a head anchor pointconnected to the head end for attachment to a head suspension line tosuspend the head end of the bed; a foot anchor point connected to thefoot end for attachment to a foot suspension line; four suspension linesconnected between the foot end and the foot anchor point; and a footspreader having first and second rod assemblies connected together toform an X-shape to spread the four suspension lines apart and providesupport to the leg rest portion, wherein each rod assembly formsopposing tips and each tip defines a notch for receiving the respectivesuspension line.
 30. The hammock of claim 29, wherein the first andsecond rod assemblies are hinged together allowing the X shape toselectively fold closed and open.
 31. The hammock of claim 29, whereinthe bed has a reinforced center seam.
 32. The hammock of claim 29,wherein the elongated bed has a reinforced edge defining four footloops, wherein the four suspension lines span from the four foot loops,respectively, to the foot anchor point, and the reinforced edge connectsto the head anchor point.
 33. The hammock of claim 32, wherein thereinforced edge defines two head loops at the head end, and furthercomprising a head spreader spanning between the two head loops forpreventing the bed from collapsing inwardly and crowding a head of anoccupant.
 34. The hammock of claim 29, wherein the reinforced edgedefines two opposing intermediate loops and further comprising a lumbarspreader spanning underneath the elongated bed between the two opposingintermediate loops for preventing the bed from collapsing inwardly andcrowding an occupant.
 35. The hammock of claim 30, wherein the elongatedbed is formed from a flexible material.
 36. A hammock comprising: aflexible elongated bed including a head end and a foot end opposite thehead end, wherein the foot end has a leg rest portion; a head anchorpoint connected to the head end for attachment to a head suspension lineto suspend the head end of the bed; a foot anchor point connected to thefoot end for attachment to a foot suspension line; four suspension linesconnected between the foot end and the foot anchor point; and a footspreader to spread the four suspension lines apart.
 37. The hammock ofclaim 36, wherein the foot spreader defines four notches, each notch forreceiving the respective suspension line.
 38. The hammock of claim 37,wherein the elongated bed has a reinforced edge defining four footloops, wherein the four suspension lines span from the four foot loops,respectively, to the foot anchor point.
 39. The hammock of claim 38,wherein the reinforced edge defines two head loops at the head end, andfurther comprising a head spreader spanning between the two head loopsfor preventing the bed from collapsing inwardly and crowding a head ofan occupant.
 40. The hammock of claim 38, wherein the reinforced edgedefines two opposing intermediate loops and further comprising a lumbarspreader spanning between the two opposing intermediate loops forpreventing the bed from collapsing inwardly and crowding an occupant.41. The hammock of claim 36, wherein the elongated bed is formed from aflexible material.